Bard's Arcana

The Bard's Arcana: The Tarot of Shakespeare is a 78-card tarot deck that draws its inspiration from the rich tapestry of William Shakespeare's literary works. Each card in the deck is designed to reflect a character, theme, or scene from Shakespearean plays, offering a unique narrative layer to the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith system. The project successfully funded on Kickstarter, raising $65,198 from 603 backers, indicating a strong interest in this literary-themed approach to tarot.

The deck aims to connect the timeless archetypes of tarot with the enduring human experiences explored in Shakespeare's comedies, tragedies, and histories. For instance, reward tiers mention specific card interpretations like The Fool as Bottom, The Magician as Prospero, The Lovers as Romeo + Juliet, Death as Hamlet, Temperance as Hermione, The Moon as The Dark Lady, and The World as The Globe Theatre. This direct mapping allows for a familiar yet fresh reading experience, appealing to both Shakespeare enthusiasts and tarot practitioners.

Included with the deck is a guidebook, which presumably details these Shakespearean connections and their corresponding tarot meanings. The campaign also offered unique digital tutorial videos demonstrating four original spreads: Comedy, Tragedy, History, and Sonnet, further integrating the literary theme into the reading methodology. This comprehensive approach suggests a deck that is not only visually and thematically rich but also thoughtfully structured for practical use.

This deck is ideal for tarot readers who have an appreciation for classical literature, particularly the works of William Shakespeare. It will appeal to those who enjoy thematic decks that offer a unique narrative framework for interpretation, blending literary analysis with intuitive readings. It is also suitable for collectors of niche tarot decks and individuals seeking a deck with a strong, consistent conceptual foundation.

Greg Taubman, co-founder and partner at FORGE, specializes in helping stories find their form and storytellers hone their craft. His background as a director and dramaturg includes work with prestigious institutions like The Public Theater and Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The Bard's Arcana project, a collaboration with illustrator Eunice Choi, represents his passion for integrating classical storytelling with the archetypal narratives of tarot, building on his extensive experience in theatrical and literary interpretation.